Needham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Needham is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in one of the places called Needham in the counties of Derbyshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The surname Needham belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Needham family

The surname Needham was first found in Derbyshire at Alvaston, a chapelry, in the parish of St. Michael, Derby, union of Shardlow, hundred of Morleston and Litchurch. ” In 1547 [the manor of Alvaston] was granted to the Needham family, from whom it passed to various hands.” [1]

Early History of the Needham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Needham research.

Needham Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Needham has been spelled many different ways, including Needham, Nedham and others.

Needham Ranking

In the United States, the name Needham is the 2,969^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. [2] However, in the United Kingdom, the name Needham is ranked the 758^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,819 people with that name. [3]

 Migration of the Needham family to Ireland

Some of the Needham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Needham migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Needhams to arrive in North America: 

Needham Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• John Needham, who arrived in Virginia in 1621 [4]
• Mrs. Anne Needham who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship “Ambrose” as part of the Winthrop Fleet
• Thomas Needham, who arrived in Virginia in 1635
• Thomas Needham, Jr. aged 13, who landed in Virginia in 1635 [4]
• Thomas Needham, who arrived in Virginia in 1639 [4]

Needham Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• William Needham, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [4]

Needham Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Needham, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1806 [4]
• Valient Needham, Irish settler, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 [4]
• Eliza Needham, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 [4]
• Catherine Needham, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 [4]
• D Needham, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 [4]

 Needham migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Needham Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Peter Needham, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749

Needham Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Eliza Needham, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1811
• Eliza Needham, who landed in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1811
• Mr. Patrick Needham, aged 35 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship “Bee” departing 17th April 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but he died on board [5]

Needham Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• F Needham, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907